WEBVTT >> AN ATTACK ON OUR LOCALLY-ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD IS AN ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY ITSELF. EMILY: AS OPPONENTS OF A STATE TAKEOVER HELD SIGNS IN THE RAIN, THOSE WHO WANT THE STATE IN CONTROL SAY JCPS NEEDS NEW GUIDANCE. >> TODAY WE’RE PUTTING FORTH THAT THE CHILDREN ARE THE MAIN THING. EMILY: IN A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE, THE KENTUCKY PASTORS IN ACTION COALITION AND BLUEGRASS INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY SAY STATE CONTROL IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF STUDENT JCPS HAS BEEN UNDER AN AUDIT BY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. SUPPORTERS OF THE TAKEOVER CRITICIZED THE LEADERSHIP OF THE JCPS BOARD OF EDUCATION. >> UNFORTUNATELY, THE SCHOOL BOARD HERE HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED EITHER THE WILL, OR THE COMPETENCY, OR THE UNDERSTANDING, OR THE ABILITY, OR THE DESIRE TO MAKE THESE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. >> THE STATE TAKEOVER IS NOT THE ANSWER. IT IS NOT THE ANSWER. EMILY: BUT OPPONENTS SAY THE LOCALLY-ELECTED BOARD IS COMMITTED TO ITS STUDENTS AND THEIR EDUCATION. >> THEY'RE SAYING THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY CANNOT TEACH OUR OWN CHILDREN, AND THAT THEY KNOW BETTER. EMILY: THE INTERIM COMMISSIONER OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL VISIT JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THIS WEEK AS PART OF THE AUDIT. HE WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT A STATE TAKEOVER IS NEEDED. >> WHAT WE EXPECT IS FOR THE STATE TO COME AND PARTNER WITH, NOT TAKE OVER. EMILY: COMING UP TONIGHT ON WLKY AT 6:00, HEAR WHAT THE INTERIM COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION HAS TO SAY, AHEAD OF HIS VISIT TO THE DISTRICT TOMORROW. EMILY MAHER, WLKY NE

Before announcing his resignation, several JCPS board members said Pruitt was set to recommend state assistance for the district, not a state takeover.

Lewis said he wants to visit the district before making any decisions.

"I have a full two days planned," Lewis said. "I am sure I'm going to have the opportunity to talk with key leadership personnel, as well as have the opportunity to get into some schools."

Ahead of the visit, those for and against state control held press conferences on Tuesday outside the Van Hoose Education Center.

Two of the district's seven board members said they want to work with the interim commissioner, but don't support a state takeover.

"I want to have great faith in him that he's truly concerned in improving outcomes for kids," JCPS Board of Education member Lisa Willner said. "That he's going to come here with an open mind and hear what we have to say."

Supporters of a state takeover said new leadership will help bridge achievement gaps between students.

"Today we're putting forth that the children are the main thing," Pastor Jerry Stephenson said.

In a joint press conference, the Kentucky Pastors in Action Coalition and Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy said state control is in the best interest of students.

Several speakers criticized the board of education and its collective bargaining agreement with the teachers union.

"Unfortunately, the school board here has not demonstrated either the will, or the competency, or the understanding or the ability or the desire to make these difficult decisions," said Bluegrass Institute President Jim Waters.

Opponents said the locally-elected board is committed to its students and their education.

"They're saying that we as a community cannot teach our own children and that they know better," JCPS board member Chris Brady said.

The interim commissioner of education will visit JCPS Wednesday and Thursday.